NOW I CAN GO BACK TO WALKING...

thank goodness!  I never thought running was good for you and still am not sure...but about 5 years ago when I wanted to jump on the OKC Marathon bandwagon with the rest of my family I started running on the flat parts of my walk.  I did relays for a couple of years, then the last two kicked it up a notch with half-marathons.  This year I ran 6.2 (yes, I have to include the point 2) on a relay team due to recuperating from my surgery.  And it felt good.  I felt STRONG.  Thank you, God!

Now for the other marathon stories (and if you stick with me you'll get a real goody at the end)!  This was the first year I ever road the shuttle bus back to the finish line...and I survived.  Pretty much everybody on that bus was in a daze, like me.  But I did find this old friend, Kim!  She doesn't look old at all, though, does she?  Just as cute as ever and her hair isn't even messed up...not fair.  Anyway, our daughters were in elementary school together 15 years ago at Washington Irving!

Then there's this crazy kid... he ran the half-marathon with NO training.  It wasn't planned, another friend's Dad had to bow out due to a back injury and gave him his registration.  Although he has run Cross Country in the past, he did not enroll this year due to the coach expecting too much (in his opinion).  Thankfully he had a good time and didn't suffer any injuries.  But by the look on his face when got into the car, I hope he learned something!

Another cool thing this year was one of our Team OC shirt sponsors is a good friend of ours - they donated in honor of their dad, Tom, who passed away recently.  

And now, what you've all been waiting for...the goody.  Or maybe TMI for some of you!  Let me just say that they should put some porta potties at the shuttle drop off locations!  After running my leg of the relay and recovering somewhat on that bumpy, lurching bus, I needed one fast.  But unfortunately I had to walk several blocks, and you guessed it, lost it about 20 feet away from the door.  I almost made it!!!  So anyway, the rest of the morning waiting for my husband and son to finish the half-marathon, I had to go commando...

Every marathon has a special story!

I AM A FAN...

of this book!  I got it Wednesday and I'm already half-way through it.  Yes, it's an easy read but with really good thought provoking stuff!

It's also on sale this week for $5.  Maybe I'm easily swayed but I don't part with my money easily!  I usually can wait and get on the waiting list for books at the library...yeah, I'm old school that way.  But I went into Mardel Wednesday looking for another book which they didn't have, and two spirit-led moments happened.  One was I bumped into a minister's wife at our church.  We chatted and she was telling me they leave for Africa in 6 days and how crazy busy and unprepared she felt - even though they've been many times.  She said she hadn't even picked up some little gifts or school supplies for the kids there.  Well, that's a no-brainer for me - I love to shop!  I told her my Bible class would take care of it.  Neat to have opportunities from the Holy Spirit given to you like that!  Also, a friend of mine, sweaty from her workout, buzzed past me with 5 copies of this book in her hands.  She explained it was such a good book she was buying them for her girlfriends since they were $10 off the regular price this week.  So after not being able to get the book I wanted, I looked it over, and bought it.

And it's good.  You might want to hurry and get one before they're gone!

FINAL FINALS...

It's really hard to believe this is it - she's graduating!!!  Seems like just yesterday we dropped her off at college!  I sent my daughter her last "Finals Fuel," a spin-off of boxes of goodies and encouragement I have made before at Moms in Touch.  Universities sell something similar through some group usually, but I like to make my own.  I usually put in some homemade bread, some favorite goodies and scriptures of encouragement.

I was thinking about how I should continue this for people who are sick or just need a lift!  Hmmm...got my wheels a turning now! What little goodies do you send to students or others needing an "energy boost?"

BLINGY WEDDING...

It's that time again!  The weddings are picking up and we have plenty to attend!  We went to a good friend's wedding this past weekend and I was especially excited because I knew she would be displaying wedding gowns from their family!  Here's a few pics:

Edgar Cruz playing at the wedding and reception - Awesome classical guitarist!

 BLINGY brooch bouquet!  (Wow, I wish I wouldn't have fumbled this and forgotten the flash!  I hated to keep the bride waiting, tho)  I think these bouquets are so incredible and  hers is the first one I've ever seen.

The giant "T" signed by guests, displayed at the reception.

This is what I mentioned earlier...both mothers and 4 grandmothers of the bride and groom had their wedding gowns displayed!  I was really just blown away at how well preserved they all looked!  There were pictures of the brides just to the right of this display so you could tell whose was whose.

More BLING on the wedding cake!  She also had faux crystals in the table decor but it wasn't overdone.  The whole thing was just really neat and fun.  My friend obviously should be a wedding planner - such attention to detail!

YOU MAKE BEAUTIFUL THINGS...

                                      You make beautiful things out of dust

                                            You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us....Gungor

                    Praise to our God, the Master Artist and maker of beautiful things!

NOT TODAY, NOT EVER...

                                                          YUCK

KENDALL'S CHICKEN WITHOUT KENDALL...

We had our last college dinner for a while last night.  One of my son's roommates, Kendall, had talked about some chicken I made last year, which I couldn't even remember what it was!!! I think I had tried a new recipe but didn't hang onto it.  Anyway, a few months later he was raving about it, so I thought I'd make something like it last night.  We had what I dubbed Kendall's Chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, carrots, cantaloup, Grandma's orange jello salad, rolls with herb butter, Oreo Ice Cream dessert, and Lemon Bars for the non-chocolate eaters.  Unfortunately, Kendall didn't make it, so I made sure all the others will let him know:  Kendall's Chicken was purty good!

What an exciting, scary time of life!  Some are working this summer, some hope to be working, some have internships, some are engaged to be married!  Prayers for all these college kids as they head off for a few months.  Speaking of engaged:

My nephew and his bride-to-be are getting married in December!  They are highschool sweethearts and it will be so much fun to have another great girl in our family!

BELVITA...

literally means, "BEAUTIFUL LIFE."  My daughter brought that to my attention last time she looked around and saw these in the pantry.  I thought it a strange name for a food product but of course I bought some when the coupon came around!  They are actually really good with a cup of tea and supposedly give you energy.  Any cookie that promises energy is good for me!

What about your real life, your inner life - is it BEAUTIFUL?  Or are you struggling?  We can have a beautiful life when we trust in God, our Savior!  It never fails to amaze me how his Word is pertinent to our lives today.  Take some time and spend it with God in prayer and meditation.  I've learned over the years there will always be interruptions.  Have a backup plan when you don't get your quiet time when you want it.  Open his Word and use a guide, like Jesus Calling.  Ingest it and make it a part of you, your spiritual nourishment.  It will give you energy for the day.

Have a BEAUTIFUL LIFE!

I MADE BUNKO HISTORY...AND OTHER BLESSINGS

As I ran through the neighborhoods and an arboretum of our fair town with my husband this morning, I realized what a blessing this week has been!  So you get to hear my ramblings, as my friend OK Chick likes to call them.

It's been a busy one, serving musical meals every night to the kids at the high school.  It is wonderful as usual, with my wonderful volunteers to back me up and the sale Wednesday at our new Sunflower Market on strawberries @ $.99 a lb!  I got 8 pkg - the limit and made that meal looked gourmet!

Wednesday I did something I hadn't done in a long time...went antique shopping with my mother!  I am looking for something unique and special that I'll tell you about another time.  Didn't find it yet, but we had fun exploring.  That night was my small group study at church - the "Resolution for Women" group and wow, was it pertinent.  All about how we should listen and speak to each other.  I think that reminder never gets old for me!!!

Thursday was another incredible day with a year end luncheon at a local Mexican restaurant with CWBS leaders.  Our wonderful mentor and leader even made us all pans of cinnamon rolls to take home.  A nice treat after the run this morning.

And I made Bunko History last night!  In 17 years of Bunko, we couldn't remember this ever happening.  I made a Bunko on the first round, along with another friend.  I made another one on 6's, and NO ONE ELSE made any more in 6 more rounds.  I qualified for the Most Bunkos prize, the Traveler, and almost Most Wins.  CRAZY!  My prize was this pretty wind chime.  Along with the delicious dinner and our sweet prayer time, it's always a blessing.

Food, Food, Food this week!

Thankfully my husband offered to run 4 miles with me (at my pace)this morning and I was wanting to go through the fairly new arboretum.  I was tickled to see the newly transplanted Japanese tree that the city moved for $5000.  Did you get to hear the story?  A new Mercy Hospital is being built off I-35 where long ago there was a plant nursery.  The owner had planted a rare Japanese tree and they didn't want to bulldoze it, because it was healthy and had a trunk diameter of 16"  or something like that, and they take a long time to grow!  Supposedly not many of them in the United States.  Anyway, the city spent the money and moved it to the Arboretum.  It's green and looking good.  I love it.

Here's to a restful weekend!  Blessings to you!

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE...

                                          the power of flowers!

Sweet hand-picked gift from my little neighbor girls.  I love surprises like this!  And oh, how I wish you could smell them!  Every time I walk by it's like a sweet perfume!

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE DO NOW...

on Easter...after spending 10 years of Easters in Dallas for LTC...then last year in Arkansas with our college girl...it just seems foreign for us to stay home.  We ended up having a little quality time with our extended family. It was nice.  Feels different, but not so hurried, which is a good thing.  Here's the highlights:

My cupcake experiment:  Possibly the messiest cupcake I've ever done.  Frosted with chocolate then dipped in M&M's...super rich!

We went to my mother's house for a little dinner - lots of grandkids and friends!

You're never too old to hunt for Easter eggs!  There's some good car wash money to be found out there!

Then we headed down to southwest Oklahoma where we spent time with my husband's family.  This is our sweet little great nephew's standard smile for pictures!

Caught him off-guard!  Isn't he just the cutest?  Gonna be a big brother in August!

We also got to meet our first great niece!  She's just a week old!

 Sweet to see a new generation coming up with Christian parents.

He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.  Mark  10: 14-16

CHEEP, CHEEP, CHEAP...

I'm talking about the birds I made as favors for the last Bible study luncheon of the year!  It's always a big deal because we usually meet for luncheons once a month with our small group and only twice a year as an entire group.  This time it's a free-for-all, decorate however you like.  The pressure is on (even though the leaders all say don't worry about it) to make a beautiful table.  And my added goal is for it to be CHEAP.

Somehow out of our Joshua/Judges study I got a bird/birdhouse theme in my head from the verse, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," Joshua 24:15.  I found this free pattern for birds on SPOOL, some fabric in my daughters scraps, and I was off making turquoise and gold birds!  I wanted to add the scripture on them so I ended up sewing them onto sticks from my yard, and they just came to life!  Add to that some borrowed bird cages and pretty table ware and I did it for $12.  Mission accomplished!

Side view - I added in a little more greenery after this but you can see the gold plates.

I had grown quite attached to my little birds but I loved giving them to my ladies!  I just told them not to tell me if they become dog toys...

Here's some more ideas for interesting tables from the luncheon:

DINNER...

because the third child thinks I don't make anything good anymore...

I've made versions of this baked sub sandwich before but this one beats them all!  This recipe comes from my friend Renai:

Hot Sandwiches

1 box bread mix (any kind)
2 T. Italian seasoning
12 slices cheese (several kinds)
1 lb. shaved deli meat
Pepperonis
Olives, diced
Spicy mustard
Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
Sea salt

Add Italian seasoning to bread mix.  Prepare dough according to box and let rise 1-1 1/2 hour.  Punch down and roll out to 11 x 16 inch rectangle. Spread on mustard.  Layer meats, cheeses, and olives along the middle of the dough.  Repeat layers.  Gently fold both sides over the  filling, forming a loaf.  Flip onto greased baking sheet and sprinkle with salt.  Lightly score diagonally and bake at 350 until golden brown.  Cool 5 minutes and serve with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Serves 4-6.

Oddly enough, my husband thought the olive oil and balsamic vinegar was the best condiment for this!  I liked it too, but can always dip in mustard if it's dry.  So try that if you make this recipe.  Got a thumbs up from the kid, too.

MOVING DAY...

for my plants!  I am always so excited to get these out of my bathroom!  They're not quite as messy as little children, but maybe close...with our warm weather I'm getting to move them out a month early.  Woohoo!  The "trees" are a new addition to my collection and are called "Angel's Trumpet."  They are from a friend of mine who moved to Colorado last fall.  When she gave them to me they looked like 3 foot tall sticks - she had just cut them back.  I can't wait for them to put on blooms.  Happy Spring!

P.S.  If you want a baby aloe vera plant, come get one!  I can't bear to kill anything.

P.P.S.  You know it's a slow day when I'm blogging about plants!